Isla Stewart, 37, business manager at Xcite Media explains how in her career she has learned to ring the changes
What did you want to be when you were young?
A telephone receptionist and then a fashion designer
What are the main career stepping stones you have taken?
I loved art at school and always wanted to work in fashion, however when I was not accepted to Gray’s School of Art my parents suggested I applied for university. I ended up studying psychology and graduated with a 2:1 honours BSc in Psychology.
I continued with a PhD for two years, whilst also working for a fashion retailer, but eventually left studies behind to work full time in retail management, opening up a brand new store in Dundee.
At the age of 25 I realised I wanted a change of career, still working with people, but in a different environment and in Aberdeen.
I went to work for Croner Consulting as a sales co-ordinator, and within six months was promoted to account manager where I was taught some of the most important, and indeed toughest lessons of my career, working in a target-driven sales environment.
